STMicroelectronics launches new BlueNRG-2N Bluetooth 5.0-certified network processor to boost data throughput

STMicroelectronics has launched the BlueNRG-2N Bluetooth 5.0-certified network processor, which reduces power consumption, supports the latest Bluetooth features, increases data throughput, and enhances privacy and security protection.

The BlueNRG-2N network coprocessor is pre-installed with Bluetooth communication protocols and can connect to the main controller to establish a Bluetooth connection. This coprocessor not only simplifies product manufacturing, but also allows manufacturers to adjust the performance, functionality and cost of the main system separately. Therefore, designers of products such as smart medical wearable devices, PC peripherals, remote controls, lighting, industrial and home automation can optimize their MCU selection to meet the requirements of specific product models.

The latest Bluetooth enhancements of BlueNRG-2N include support for data length extension, which can speed up firmware wireless updates (OTA) by 2.5 times and increase application-level data transfer speeds to 700kbit/s. In addition, BlueNRG-2N supports Bluetooth LE Privacy 1.2, which allows frequent address changes without intervention from the host processor to prevent devices from being tracked unnecessarily, with minimal impact on system power consumption.

BlueNRG-2N comes pre-installed with a digitally signed Bluetooth LE protocol stack, which can save product manufacturing costs while maintaining the flexibility of over-the-air upgrades (OTA). Built-in image verification technology always checks the downloaded protocol stack and only allows digitally signed firmware image files to run, thereby enhancing network security.

Compared with previous generations of BlueNRG products, the new generation of products has lower power consumption, lower transmit and receive currents, and in shutdown mode, when the BLE protocol stack is running, the operating current is only 900nA. While reducing power consumption, it can also maintain strong and reliable RF performance, with adjustable RF output power, up to +8dBm, and a link budget of up to 96dB.

BlueNRG-2N is the latest member of STMicroelectronics' BlueNRG low-power Bluetooth chip family, which can meet the requirements of various wireless system design methods. The main product features are the same as the BlueNRG-2 Bluetooth 5.0 certified system chip (SoC), which also has a programmable Arm® Cortex®-M0 microcontroller, so the same device can run the main application and Bluetooth communication protocol. Developers using BlueNRG chips can use the powerful and user-friendly STM32* online development environment (ODE), including the STM32CubeMX GUI plug-in, to start development projects.

As a dedicated network coprocessor product in the BlueNRG series, BlueNRG-2N is now in mass production and has been included in STMicroelectronics' 10-year product supply plan. BlueNRG-234N uses a 2.66mm x 2.56mm WLCSP34 chip-scale package; BlueNRG-232N uses a 5mm x 5mm QFN32 package.